IMMENSE TRUSS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1930, Page 2

IMMENSE TRUSS

SUPPORT FOR. 4500 TONS

What is believed to be the largest and heaviest steel truss ever used in jbuilding construction . has just 'been plaqod into position on the site of the new Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at Pari: and Lexington avenues. Fortyninth and Fiftieth streets, New York. Three crews of steel erectors have l>cen busily engaged on ibis task for some weeks. The bottom chord, which is the first of eight steel sections, measuring ninety feet in length, and weighing sixty-three tons, was hoisted by the steel orew of the Thompson, Starrett Company, under the supervision of Owen Radius, steel superintendent, and placed in position in July. Six other sections, varying in weight from twenty to thirty tons, have been assembled, and the top chord, measuring ninety feet long and weighing seventy-four tons has been bolted into position. A large crowd of curious people gathered at Park avenue and Fiftieth street to watch the hoisting operations of this huge steel form, which measured approximately half a city block in length. The entire assembled unit weighs 81 2 tons and measures 90 feet long by 33 feet high. This truss is located ajbove the proscenium arch oif the main ballroom from the sixth to the ninth floors of the new Waldorf-As-toria, and will support part of the remaining section of the giant hostelry from the. ninth .to the fortysixth floor. The greater part of the main ballroom, a space of 87 feet wide by 120 feet long, is entirely free of, columns, an area of over 10,000 square feet. The section of the hotel which will be supported by this truss will weigh in excess of 4500 tons.